I WAS sorry to read in the Evening Press that York Minster is struggling for money. I do hope it can find continuous funding for its upkeep (January 24).

Still, it's a good job the building is not owned by City of York Council because the planners would be turning it into a drive-through burger bar.

Sites in York such as the Minster, Clifford's Tower, and even the football ground, have a value over and above their commercial worth.

Let's hope the public inquiry into Coppergate II will stop this undignified race to sell off York's family silver and instill in the philistine planners some pride in their historic surroundings.

Dave Gorman,

New Walk Terrace, York.

...I WAS interested to see City of York Council's head of building control, Cliff Carruthers, quoted as saying developments at 'around' 25 homes need not include affordable homes (January 18).

Does this mean that the 27 (reduced from 105) balconied flats which will top the big buildings that Coppergate II developers and the council want to put on the Eye of York site will not have to include social housing?

No wonder there was no clear answer to a related question in the inquiry. At a general 25 per cent, and assuming these flats built in the best position in York would cost a minimum of £350,000, that's a saving of almost £2 million.

No wonder they can afford slow-speaking barristers and expert witnesses who are expert word twisters.

C D Wilson,Tuke House,

Cromwell Road, York.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, January 30, 2002